I have a home in southeast Florida and stay in my Villages place fall and spring. The Villages is too cold in the winter. Anyone else do that?

Is there a name for *us* - those of us who are so fond of this state that their primary and vacation homes are both in Florida?

Please resist the temptation to be crass or insulting. TV is the friendliest hometown, right?

Hear noise from I75??? Don’t know where that could be! Maybe Florida toll road if you are south of 44.

If you like over crowded and traffic

Cold? In Florida :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Everyone thinks their area of TV is the best. You need to find area that may best suit your needs. Rent for a while and heck everything out. It’s amazing how tv has changed as the progressed south. Better golf cart trails and more tunnels. We love our center location to be able to golf cart to Spanish or to Brownwood. Can’t wait until I can do a trip from Spanish to Fenny. Good luck with your home hunting!!

Sunshine gypsies?

I am on my 3rd home in TV. What I noticed is that the homes up north are a little less expensive probably due to them being farther away from the squares and it is quieter but however the homes are lovely. It's a personal choice - some people like the quiet and there is plenty of shopping not far away. Now I am south of 466 not far from Sumter. I like it there and the bond is very low. My other home I rent out is north of 466 in Spanish Springs with no bond. Bonds are higher the farther south you go and new homes especially.

I'll try to address a few viewpoints in this thread.

Most people will tell you their village is the best. I think the village that best suits your needs and interest in the best. Most people chose to be close to shopping and doctors as after six months, you will find going to the squares is less important.

First of all, you never stated whether you were here for a visit so I think it might be a good idea to get a map of TV as you will see it's a very big place. Renting for awhile is a good idea while you explore what area you might want to settle in. I would make a list of "must haves" and "would like to have" in whatever type home you would be interested in purchasing.

I believe the term "snowbirds" applies most to people who vacation in TV in the winter months while a "snowflake" is someone who drops in from time to time. Some people will complain of traffic and crowded restaurants during the winter months but snowbirds bring a lot of money to the economy.

New vs pre-owned is another ball of wax. Some people prefer a home that no one else has lived in. Others may want a pre-owned as they are usually in areas with more mature landscaping and may have some, little or no bond. The new area, (south of 44 is a little rustic to me). I like to be closer to things but that's just me. Everyone one is different and your opinion is the only one that counts!!!

When you come to TV, Talk to anyone and everyone as most people will tell you they love living here. It is kept in immaculate condition.

You will have a lot of decisions to make and ultimately, the decision is yours!!!

Good luck and "best wishes as you start living the dream". :smiley:

We're in our mid-60s, currently living in a 55+ community in Central Texas, and have recently (March) returned from a week long "lifestyle visit" to Brownwood. Honestly, I was dazzled by the proximity to all that I had hoped to find in a retirement community. I had to take a moment to relax - forcing myself not to instinctively reach for my checkbook before our all-too-short visit ended. I gather this is not an altogether uncommon experience. Our current area is nice enough but, like most retirement communities we've previously visited, it is located some distance (at least 30 min) from the basics of life i.e. groceries, retail, personal, and medical services. During our visit, we spent considerable time South of the 44 in Fenny, Monarch Grove, etc. areas and fell in love with the proximity to nature trails but were concerned the important retail establishments might be years in coming. Is that a reasonable assumption?

Before I forget, thanks very much for this thread. I'm finding it extremely helpful and informative.

If you want a new home, you will need to buy in the new areas way down south. Previously loved homes are available for resale all the time.

Want to avoid the turnpike and power lines.
 

Go look at the new village of de Luna as it has gorgeous old trees and walking trails in the bridge to Brownwood is going to be put up there very soon. You can also go from deluna on a new road that connects you right to route 301 which is very handy.

Wow, some really GREAT info on this post for anyone considering moving to TV, which my wife and I are planning to do soon, once things calm down in the world! I am looking a properties, especially new ones (South of 44) almost every day so I am very aware of all then new villages there. But when I look a DeLunda, I worry that it’s just too close to the turnpike and power lines. I also heard that 301 is a very busy road and don’t want to be living too close to that road either. I really do appreciate your post, I know you mean well but our timing may be too late for DeLuna, for a particular model that we are interested in buying. Thank You!

I live in the lake sumter area and i love it here.

Lake Sumter
 

Our VLS took us to Lake Sumter and really liked that area. My wife and I played pickle ball at the Seabreeze RC along with platform tennis but my best experience was playing tennis on a Monday night, with a great group of guys, at Glenview CC. Very good memories of that area.

It sounds like you and I had the same dilemma. I bought in January of this year, and like you, I was torn between the beauty and the quiet south of 44 and proximity to all the action between 44 and 466. As much as I love the nature trails down south, I ultimately decided I would be visiting the squares and businesses more often than the nature trails, so I decided on the side with more action going on.

I figured I could always get in my car and visit Fenney Grill, their great clubhouse with the fire pit, and the nature trails in Monarch Grove and Fenney. But everyone needs to make their own decision after spending time in all parts of the Villages. Good luck with your search. It's a great place to live.

My wife and I just bought a place. The location is a major part of the decision. Are you going to be full time or seasonal? Are you coming for the squares, or golf? Natural gas was a decision factor for us and there are several locations that do not have natural gas.

If you are going to be seasonal and/or have a lot of guests the like the squares you might want to have something closer to those squares. If you are a golfer you may want something that has access to a wide variety of the types of courses you may play.

Location has a significant impact on price. We could have found the same unit for a lower price on the perimeter of the villages (far east, west, or north) but we chose within Odell Circle to be more centralized. From what I've heard, the furthest west may have some train noises at times.

But no matter where you end up you will likely quickly justify and love your decision. It's a great place.